By Mark van Deventer
15 of South Africa’s finest sprinters will contest the Gr 1 HKJC World Pool Cape Flying Championship and dash down the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth 1000m straight course.
All runners are set to carry 60kg’s, barring the mare ASIYE PHAMBILI who will carry 57.5 kg’s.
DYCE (4) is the defending champ. Trainer Lucky Houdalakis guided J.J. the Jet Plane to global success, including the Gr 1 Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin in 2010. Those accomplishments were achieved despite J.J’s skew front legs, and Houdalakis has faced similar challenges to keep the unsound, DYCE in one piece. Remarkably he has won ten of 21 starts and will give it a full go once again.
Cape Flying Champs victor in ’23, GIMME A PRINCE (6) also battles with rickety knees. But for those physical issues he would have won more than just six races to date. He is a brilliant performer on a going day and a threat to stun them all with his devastating acceleration.
QUESTIONING (10) is a paragon of consistency and will run to his rating. He is a principal contender.
It’s hard to know what to make of KING OF THE GAULS (12). His outstanding Umgheni Sprint victory from draw 14 out of 14 around Hollywoodbets Greyville’s tight bends suggested that he can win a Gr 1 sprint. But he was dismal on his local seasonal debut and has been deserted by ace jock, Richard Fourie for the mare drawn next to him, ASIYE PHAMBILI (13.) She has a fine record down this straight, is in excellent nick and will try adding to her 8 wins from 21 start record, though she is a bit shy on the speed figs.
Eastern Cape speedster CRUISE CONTROL (2) gets the perfect set up on a track that has been aiding speed on the inside rail at recent meetings. He could be vulnerable to the “swoopers” late but should give a good sight for a long way.
BEREAVE (15) mixes his form and tends to drift out when under pressure. He clocked in third, only 1.4 lengths back, in the 2024 edition of this race so can hold his own in this class. There were signs of a form return three weeks ago so he might be used underneath in wider single race exotic combos.
FUTURE VARIETY (1) shows a seasonal preference, tending to come to light at this time of the year. But his figures are light for this elevated class level.
ZIYASHA (5) an upset winner of the Bantry Bay Stakes will be an important pace factor yet is also a bit short on the figures needed to threaten at Gr 1 level. The same applies to speedy 7YO, Seeking the Stars (11).
KING REGENT (7) won the Eastern Cape Poly Challenge between 1200/1600m, and this turn back to the short cuts is not an obvious move.
CAFÉ CULTURE (8) who won the Post Merchants, is a mighty-tough pace-presser over extended sprints but may find this all too torrid.
LUCKY LAD (9) is a seriously talented deep closer who won the Gr 1 Golden Horse with a withering turn of finishing speed. That was over 1200m, and he too could find this a bit sharp, but is respected, nevertheless.
SURJAY (3) is very game yet was beaten 3.5 lengths in this last year and a similar fate is likely given he prefers stiffer sprints.
COSMIC HIGHWAY (14) is ultra talented when all parts are in working order but has not won in 59 weeks. He now gets blinkers in hopes of a revival.
MARK VAN DEVENTER’S SELECTIONS:
6 – 4 – 10 – 12 – 2